Babers said he wishes DL Cooper Dawson, who opted out of the 2020 season, all the best. Declines to talk about any other players who are interested in following suit. "There’s some people that are pending, but right now he’s the only one that I'm going to talk about."
Babers clarifies that "pending" means those players are still contemplating their options. Some of them want to talk it over with family and/or other players.
Babers on his confidence that there'll be football this fall: "I think that it all comes down to that magic word of faith. I have faith that our guys can pull it off." He said SU has conducted 1,200 tests since players returned to campus. No results have been announced.
Babers said he's being mindful of who is rooming together on the road. Those "bubbles" could end up determining who is quarantining and potentially missing practice/games.
Babers said he just saw SU's revised schedule 45 minutes ago. "I think it's very interesting." Sees a tough start with road games against UNC and Pitt.
Babers on having to play Clemson and Notre Dame: "I think it gives us the opportunity to see where we're at." Describes his team as being "extremely young."
Babers said he's going to try to build positional flexibility "but it's going to be difficult." A couple players who have to sit due to Covid-19 in the same group "could be devastating."
Babers: "It's going to be a different year than ever before and I think the creativity of coaches and the flexibility of rosters will be key."
Babers said he has a hard time anticipating a scenario in which he'd ask his higher-ups not to play a game. Presser is being cut at 30 minutes. Cisco and Servais coming on next.
Andre Cisco on now, asked about racial injustices. "We still have a long way to go." He specifically mentioned Breonna Taylor's killer not yet being arrested. Cisco said he has not attended protests so not to risk exposing his teammates to Covid-19.
Cisco said he is not considering sitting out this year. He wants to play. He discussed seeing teammates consider opting out, like Cooper Dawson did. Said reasons to do so include Covid-19 concerns, as well as retaining a year of eligibility or simply not wanting to play.
Cisco: "I'm confident that we'll start. I'm confident that we'll get some games in. Anything can happen from there." Said he feels very good about Syracuse's protocols and procedures.
Cisco said he spent the offseason focusing on consistency and getting healthy. Wanted to fine-tune technique, mostly working individually in Syracuse and Atlanta.
Cisco on Covid-19 risk increasing when the student body returns: "When the students come back, it's going to be very hard to keep everything under control."
Airon Servais said "obviously there's going to be a little bit of a worry" as a lineman playing during the pandemic. However, he said he feels safe given the protocols SU has implemented and how well personnel have followed them.
Servais on players sitting: "It's one of those decisions where we're all adults and everyone has to make the best decision for themselves." He said "right now" he's decided to keep playing, but "of course you've got to think about it." Emphasized maturity is needed internally.
Servais said the team only got full confirmation that scholarships would be honored last night for players who sit out. So SU's players are just beginning to react to that news.
Servais emphasized the importance of continuing with conversations regarding racial injustice. The team and players themselves are still doing that as well as working with Salatha Willis.
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